Guilt

This morning was my day off. I planned to go into work for some Overtime , but after the kids got up for school, I layed down for the famous "5 more minutes". Needless to say, I woke up at 9:30 and was already behind schedule. After breakfast I set out and about 3 miles down the road I get a flat. Doh. 

As everyone would be, I'm secretly pumped that I won't be going to work today, but still feel guilty. And it's my day off!!!! 

While Hubs played superhero to get the car towed, baby and I took a detour to find a donut - her favorite treat. Of course, I get one too. Only 11 points (!) BUT I had a killer breakfast and haven't gone over my points all week. But the second I bite into it: Guilt. And it didn't even look that good!!!! But it tasted great:) 

So what's the deal? How come I feel guilty about things I shouldn't?! I'm not even catholic! Where is this expectation that we have to be running at full steam all the time. Why don't we accept that we get a day off or a treat? The baby felt no guilt. She enjoyed every single bite of her donut and danced while she chewed to prove it. She was thrilled beyond all belief to find me on the side of the road with a flat instead of at work. Seeing the bright side in every second. Why song we do that again? Not sure- but in going to try and take a page out of Baby's book and see the bright side in everything today!!! Activity remind myself that everything is fine, cause it is. But it's a challenge for this girl.  Off to test this guilt free theory at the fabric store- the ultimate test!!!! 

Turkey Shirts for the Kids! Great Family Project!!!

Found this and I LOVE it - I really want to try it with Pennie and the Kiddos! I can't wait! Thought you would all like it too :)
 

I meant to post this last week, but I was busy and Serenity and I wasn't feeling too good - that's the reason it's so last minute.
When I thought of the idea, I search the internet to see if there was anyone else doing this age-old kids' project in fabric - I was so surprised to find there wasn't!

So I thought I'd do one to share!

This is a very easy, NO-SEW turkey applique you can create using your child's hands!
Of course you can sew it down if you want to, but it's not necessary.

This is similar to the hands and feet turkey craft projects kids do in school - but with fabric.
It's a great project to do with your child too since it's mostly just cutting, ironing, and gluing!

This is a cute shirt for girls and boys!

Materials needed:
White tee shirtHeat 'n Bond
(the red package)
2 3" pieces of medium orange Rick Rack
(I have jumbo yellow pictured, but I changed my mind)
1 1 1/2" piece of 3/8" red ribbon
4 pieces of 9"w x 5 1/2"l fabric in red, orange, yellow, and brown
(this depends on how big your child's hands are)Liquid stitch
2 googly eyes
lighter or fray check

I used this picture for the turkey's body and it's beak, but you could draw your own or use your child's feet to create a template.



Trace your child's hands on a piece of paper and cut out them out to use as templates.
Print and cut out this turkey picture to use as a template for the turkey's body and beak.



Following the directions on the the Heat 'n Bond package, apply the Heat 'n Bond to all the fabric.
Using the templates, cut out the hands, the turkey's body, and it's beak.
Sorry I forgot to put the turkey's body and beak in this picture!



Make sure you use a lighter or fray check to seal both ends of the ribbon and Rick Rack.
Fold the piece of red ribbon to form the turkey's wattle, then glue it together using Liquid Stitch.
I put it on the turkey's body to get an idea of how it would look:



Arrange the hands on the shirt how you'd like them, and iron them down one by one.



Place the turkey's body in the middle, and use Liquid Stitch to glue the Rick Rack to the shirt underneath - those will be his legs.
Now iron down the turkey's body.



Using the Liquid Stitch again, glue the turkey's wattle to his body.
Arrange the beak slightly over the wattle and iron it down.
Use Liquid Stitch to attach the googly eyes to the turkey.



All done!

Look how cute it looks on Serenity!



POST-IT-NOTE:I ended up using the medium orange Rick Rack 'cause I think it looks better. I have no idea what I was thinking when I got that big jumbo yellow pack for this project.

TIP: If some of the fingertips won't stay ironed down, just use a little Liquid Stitch to get 'em to stick. Hand wash, or turn the shirt inside-out before washing in cold water on the gentle cycle. Hang to dry. I would totally recommend using homemade laundry soap or Charlie's soap too!
Total cost:I bought a fat quarter in each color for a $1 a piece at Wal-Mart - I have plenty of fabric left.
The shirt was $4.99 at Target (Serenity's pants are from Target too - $6 in the store).
The Rick Rack was $1.14 for a 2 1/2 yard pack - I used 6 inches total.
The red ribbon is 24¢ a yard - I only used about 1 1/2 inches.
A pack of 50 googly eyes is 97¢ - I have 48 left.
I bought the Liquid Stitch about a week or so ago - so I didn't need to buy anymore.

All together, this project costs less than $6?
I don't know exactly since I'm horrible at Math - I just know it was pretty cheap!
POST-IT-NOTE 2:Check out Brandy's version of the Tiny Hands Turkey applique - it's adorable!

She used some funky fabric, pretty pink ribbon, and buttons & rhinestones for the eyes.

Carole made a turkey for her little boy Leland on a onesie.

Go have a look-see on her blog Lee, Carole & Leland!

Cassandra created a onesie for her darling baby girl too. She posted pictures of her precious little bundle wearing it on her blog, Yoho Girl.

You gotta go see!!
POST-IT-NOTE 3:I would like give a HUGE thank you to Ucreate and Pocket Full of Posies for linking this post!

Have fun!

Bit of Whimsy Dolls

So, I also wanted to share with you guys one of my all time favorite sites! I got into making dolls & stuffed animals this year and it has taken over! This site has SO many! And here is the best part, are you ready? You can buy them made already and just have them shipped to you OR you can buy the patterns for much cheaper and make them yourself. Fear not first time sewers: these patterns are easy and super fun!! Check out a couple of the sweet things I have made with their patterns!

Check this site out, their amazing!

A Kitten for My Baby, Finley:



And Dinosaurs for all three of my kiddos:





My Son, Baer has named his "Baer-Baer" - I guess its easier just to name them something you will remember :)

Make Up Bag!

So, as Many of you know I did a whole lot o' couponing and got some amazing deals in some Cover Girl Make up. What's one girl to do with so much loot? Well, I'm thinking this is a perfect opportunity for some Christmas Gifts for my two sweet Teenage Nieces, Randie & Reagan. I found this amazing pattern online for the cutest bag and I fully intend to stock it to the max with make up! Here is the pattern:


Thank to one of my FAVORITE sites:  Make it Modern

Perfect Box Pouch Tutorial

How insanely fabulous is this pouch? I can’t decide if I love it so much because a) it is made from glittery elephant fabric, b) of it’s small but perfectly proportioned size, c) it holds my on the go quilting supplies or d) all of the above.
If you’d like to make your own see how below.
You will need:

• 2 pieces of exterior fabric measuring 8 inches by 6 inches. (The longer side will be the top of your pouch, keep this in mind when cutting directional fabric)
• 2 pieces of interior fabric measuring 8 inches by 6 inches
• 2 pieces of mid-weight woven non-fusible interfacing (This helps add body to your bag, because without it it wouldn’t be very “boxy”"
• 1 12 inch zipper
• Coordinating thread (this will be visible on the outside of the bag)

Things that will come in handy:

• rotary cutter
• cutting mat
• shears
• craft scissors
• clear ruler

Step 1:
Choose and cut your fabric- is it just me or is this oftentime the hardest part?

I like to use a right angle ruler (“borrowed” from my husband) to make sure my fabric pieces are nice and square.

Step 2: Layer your pieces. Interior fabric right side DOWN, interfacing, and finally exterior fabric right side UP.

Step 3: Stitch the layers together 1/4 in from the edge. You can use a 1/4 in foot or the edge of your presser foot. These stitches will not be visible and are only done to hold the layers together for the next step. Fold the edges under 1/2 in and press.

Step 4: Places both sets of fabric with the pressed under edges on top of the zipper and sew together.

Step 5: Fold the two sides right sides of the exterior fabric together. The right side of your interior fabric will then be facing up. Stitch a quarter inch seam along the raw edge. I also suggest using shears to finish your seams so they don’t fray with use (I forgot to do this…)

Step 6: Press the fabric tube you have created flat ensuring you have centered the bottom seam on the zipper.

Step 7: Move your zipper pull to the center and stitch a quarter inch seam on both sides. Make sure you go over the zipper 2 or 3 times to secure it.

Step 8: Cut off the excess ends of the zipper leaving about an inch from your seam.

Step 9: Pinch the corners out to form triangles and draw a line one inch from the point and roughly two inches across. A clear ruler is key! Pin in place and sew across the two inch line on all four sides.

Step 10: Use your shears to cut off the excess fabric. This reduces the bulk and finishes your seam in one step.

Step 11: Turn your pouch and admire your handiwork!
You can fill it with on the go sewing essentials like I did.

Or use it as a change purse, first aid kit, on the go toy “chest,” cosmetic case, candy bag, etc